Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-10-06
QUAINT OLD TREATY.
An Inslian Chiefs Present to the Governor
0f Nehra. lk1.

l
An Ip.,ian Chiefs Present to the Governo,
Of Nebraska.
Three stalwart Indians clad in heavy
wooden blankets. cast off tiles, and
with the smell of a last years teree
upon their garments, invaded the
second story of the capitol building.
and approached the open door to the
Executive Department For some
reason every reservation Indian in Ne
braska has taken great liking to Gov.
ernOr Thayer. and the venerable APP.
pearance of the Governor has undoubt.
edly inspired the children Of nature
with the impression that he is the
! greatest chief that has ever held coun.
! Gil in The State. and each band O.
/ travelling red men who come and sit
upon the body brussels of the Execu.
tive Office. undoubtedly return to theii
homes with complimentary reference
! to the great chief. that Immediately
starts others on pilgrimage. TIE
Governor has treated all these native
visitors in the kindcst manner, as is his
custom with all visitors. and it has
brought them out in force. Some DAYS
the reception room has appeared like
a council of wal. dozen hearty bucks
being seated on the floor. and they never
make their visits short. for begging is
generally good about the te-House.
There is a smell that fingers for days
after a visit from delegation. and ii
requires the utmost vigilance Of Cap
tain Hill to get the rooms aired for the
next delegation. The three who ar.
rived the other day were OF more than
usual note. rs ignorant of English as
the widest. and the chief drew from
the breast pocket of his coat-an
ancient broadcoth that had done
society work in Omaha-a weil-worr
envelope that held an equally well.
worn parchment. which, upon being
unfo!ded. proved to be the written
treaty made between the Government
and the Omaha Indians in 1925
While the braves. disdaininG the chairs
proffered, seated themselves upon the
floor, the newspaper men present eX.
amined the faded parchment. and it
proved to be the original document well !
preserved for sixty odd years. a note
to the Governor explained to thai
official that the chief wanted it copied, |
as it was worn so badly. and after
many gyrations and gesticu,ations. the
braves were made to understand that
it would be done and that they should
return on the following day. The
treaty is an interesting one
historically and remarkably well
preserved. 1t was made ut For |
Atkinson and bore date of attestation,
October G. 1925 This Fort Atkinson
was at the point afterward Designate
as Fort Calhoun, in Washington /
County. The treaty, after reciting IL
a long preamble the mutua! admira-
ton each race had for the other. stipu.
lated in detail what each party to the
agreement should do. The white mer
were to establish trading post. to rs.
sist them in protection from native
enemies. and the Indians were to re.
frain from numerous depreda,ions. the
principal of which seemed to be horse
stealing. On the part of the Govern.
ment the treaty was signed by Briga-
dicr-General Atkinson and Benjamin.
o. Fulton. adjufant. Michael Burdear
made his mark as interpreter, and
long row of the names Of chiefs with the
meanings of their names followed
Some of these names and meanings are
worth reproduction. For example
Opatoga. the big elk; Ohoshingo. the
man that cooks little in a small kettle
ShOngisca. the white horse; Tarvettee.
the side of q buffalo; Mohpemanee, the
man that lays on his arrows few, the
number that pierce him. The ole
document would make valuable al.
dition to relics for the State Historical
Society. (Neb. Letter: